Hi all.

It's been a while. I'm back in Lansing now for fall semester at Michigan State. I'm a junior! And Ive got an apartment. Havent lost any weight for about 7 months now. Oh well. Hmm, I've taken up smoking cigarettes, not fun. Been a relationship now for about 3 months. It's absolutely horrible - I put in 98% and he puts in 2%. But for some good news, my Walt Disney World Triathlon is in less than 3 weeks. If you want to still donate to me (I'm really close to my goal - some $40 short), you can. My training has been going well and I'm thinking about running the Detroit half-marathon in October, since I dont have time to train for the full marathon. Well...that's about it. Hope all is well with everyone. I'll try and pop in more often, and if you wanna donate to my race, you can go here: http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/ADowser

By the way, I added some new pics at the bottom of my profile.

oh just one more thing. if HE is older than you by say, 4 years - he doesn't get YOU he is feeling ya like a fantasy he has when he was 13. now, basically, you can say, hey, baby, i am not cool with this - and he can come back and say but SH** I LOVE you, sweetie... BE SMART, kiddo. people who are much older than you WANT something different than YOU THINK. it may not indeed be 'LOVE' it may be some weird freakin ass crap that you need to remove yourself from. YOU CAN DO BETTER YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE BETTER be patient. loveyamuch, nan

Ok, honey, quit smoking... uhm right now. i'm a smoker for over 24 years - it's REAL freakin hard to quit once you are hooked - and i KNOW you are much smarter than that. you don't WANT the social stigma, the coughing all the freakin time.. the worries... I added your link to my site and hopefully you will get some donations. Hell, i have more than 4 million people going thru my site every month... so mebbe.... and just another thing, darling... if someone is giving 2% and you are in a "relationship"... get this advice from a diva - cut the mofo OFF. Relationships are 50 - 50 and if HE don't give - he don't get. simple as pie. Life is ALL about managing to manage with the ones you love. If you aren't important enough in his book -- do the work - if YOU don't matter enough - let him GO. just a lil bit of advice from someone who gets it, chile... and ave lived through all that and all of them type of personalities. Remember how important YOU are and what you mean in this world and how your life will change others. loveyou and fight the good fight, nan

Hi Ashley My advice............... I personally would get rid of the cigarettes AND THE GUY..... If he can't give 50%, HE AIN'T WORTH IT. Your worth more than that. Marie

Ashley- Welcome back- We missed you! Just a few notes-- 1) If you just started smoking quit now-- It is a social stigma nowadays, and anyone you know who smokes will be trying to quit in 3 years. If you need to get a smoking cessasion drug from your doc. 2) Do you know how fun, beautiful, and smart you are? Remind yourself about that-- You need to find someone who will treat you like the wonderful person you are. I know it is hard, since this is your first relationship and your vulnerable, but think about it-- What are you getting from it if you put 98% in and he puts only 2%. What could possibly be the pro in this situation. You are sweet, funny, smart and beautiful. You will be able to have your pick of guys! Find one who treats you well! Hugs! Andrea

This sounds like a mixed bag here........some good news some bad. It sounds like your health problems are outta the way, but your personal life is in the **** hole. If you continue to smoke......you probably wont have the lung capacity to be a runner much longer. We are soooo prone to developing other addictions post-op and oral fixations top the list! You don't want to be with a man that makes you work this hard........believe me it gets old after a while!!!!! When it's real it will NOT feel like a burden. It should be alarming to you that you can't find a single positive thing to say about this relationship. Just a thought. Good to see you.......your new pics look great girl! You are a BABE! Malibu

Ok time for a guys perspective. 1st and foremost: QUIT SMOKING!!!!! It's not sexy, it's dangerous for your health and your're smarter than that. Now I have to disagree with others on the age difference, 4 years to me is not a big deal. As a matter of fact since guys tend to mature slower than women I don't see this as an issue. I know other men who are dating women 4 years younger than them and the age is not an issue at all. The big relationship problem is the 98/2 split. MAJOR problem. It MUST be more even. If it's not then run don't walk away from this situation. If he care about you he will be more of a participant in the relationship. You are a wonderful, attractive young woman, take your time and find a good man. You deserve it!

Make the marathon fit your desires... Smoking: you will quit sooner than later. Asshole: get rid of him before your relationship decends in to full blown financial, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. There's some codependency in your attempting to save him. Hore**** pure and simple. He's hiding some "stuff." End it in the presence of friends who are great listeners. It's time to visit the campus counseling center! Dave

The others gave you good advice, so ditto to it all. Looked at your profile, you are looking great in those pics. You are one hot looking babe. You are so worth it - wow. -Pam